Audit Raises New Questions About Pritzker Administration’s Handling of Taxpayer Funds
Governor JB Pritzker and his Administration are facing renewed scrutiny over its handling of taxpayer dollars after a new state audit found that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency-Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) paid tens-of-millions of dollars to outside contractors for employees to be on standby and not actually work. I sit on the Legislative Audit Commission and was shocked to learn of the utter lack of oversight that led to this massive level of wasteful spending.
According to an August 11 report from the Illinois Auditor General, IEMA-OHS was billed $220.3 million by Kansas-based Favorite Healthcare Staffing during Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. Of that total, $78.5 million was for nearly 470,000 hours of standby time where contractors were not working. This means that a third of this total cost went to pay employees to not even work. Digging deeper, auditors also found that 270 contract workers also billed the state exclusively for standby time, costing taxpayers $7.5 million, for no work performed.
The audit raised broader concerns about the Pritzker Administration’s oversight of the massive staffing contracts. IEMA-OHS could not provide documentation showing it had analyzed how many contract workers were actually needed, failed to adequately enforce contract requirements, and lacked sufficient procedures for reviewing invoices and verifying billing accuracy.
Last week I appeared on the Illinois Insider Podcast and spoke about the scope of the problem. Click here to listen to that interview.
Another Audit Shows Millions of Additional Taxpayer Funds Wasted
In addition to the wasteful spending outlined in the above article, Illinois taxpayers are also left on the hook for an additional tens of millions of dollars in state spending after an additional Auditor General report examined the University of Illinois’ Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) and an abandoned headquarters project in Chicago.
According to the audit, the State directly provided $49.7 million to DPI, including approximately $37.9 million spent on its planned headquarters at The 78 development. Construction began in September 2024, but just weeks later, University of Illinois System President Timothy Killeen decided to abandon plans for the headquarters.
The headquarters was part of a larger initiative backed by $500 million in state capital funding and promoted as an investment that would help drive innovation, research, entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic development throughout Illinois.
Questions about DPI’s direction were also being raised internally shortly before the headquarters was abandoned. According to the audit, the Dean of the Grainger College of Engineering warned that not having an “intellectually-driven focus” presented a significant risk to DPI’s future. University officials told auditors those concerns did not drive the decision and said President Killeen ultimately made the call to change course.
Illinois families work too hard for their money to see tens of millions of taxpayer dollars poured into projects that ultimately fall apart, and taxpayers deserve a clear explanation of how the project reached this point, why it was allowed to proceed as far as it did, and what safeguards are being put in place to prevent similar situations in the future.
The Legislative Audit Commission is expected to review the findings, with the co-chair of the Commission calling on University President Killeen to attend and answer questions.
Senator Wilcox to Host IPASS on Demand Event at Lake Villa Library on August 25
If you still need to switch out your plastic IPASS transponder for the new sticker technology, I am bringing a mobile team from the Illinois Tollway to the Lake Villa Library on August 25 for an IPASS on Demand event. My office is offering this service free-of-charge, so I would encourage anyone who still needs to make the switch to attend this event.
IPASS on Demand
Tuesday, August 25
12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Lake Villa District Library
140 N. Munn Road
Lindenhurst, IL 60046
Officials from the Illinois Tollway will be on hand to help people transfer over to the new sticker technology and ensure people can make the switch without disruption to their IPASS account activity. Along with providing this service, the tollway officials can help people with questions they may have about their IPASS account and with ‘Pay by Plate’ issues.
Once activated, the sticker tag can be used on the Illinois tollway and on E-Z Pass roadways in other states within 24 hours of activation. There is no deposit required for the sticker and the $10 transponder deposit that was paid when a transponder was purchased will transfer to the new account when it is activated.
Those who plan to attend should bring their plastic transponders inside with them and also make note of their license plate numbers. This will help ensure quick service.
For additional information about this free event, please contact my office at (815) 455-6330 or email Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
Chicago Amusement Tax Offers Warning for Illinois Taxpayers
Chicago residents are already paying more to stream movies, listen to music and play online games, offering a glimpse at a tax idea that Democratic lawmakers have already considered expanding statewide.
Since January 2025, Chicago has imposed a 10.25% amusement tax on electronically delivered entertainment, including video streaming services and online gaming. The city previously taxed both digital and in-person entertainment at 9%, but raised the rate on digital entertainment while leaving the in-person rate unchanged early last year.
While amusement taxes are currently imposed at the local level by home-rule municipalities, Democratic lawmakers have previously considered taking the tax statewide as part of previous negotiations over funding Chicago-area public transit.
In previous legislation, Democrats proposed a 7% statewide amusement tax on a broad range of entertainment, including streaming services, live shows, concerts and sporting events.
The proposal would have meant that Illinoisans across the state could have been forced to pay another state tax to watch a streaming service at home, attend a concert or take their family to a sporting event.
That tax was ultimately stripped from the final transit package, but the fact that Democrats considered the proposal at all should concern Illinois taxpayers. In my opinion, it just shows they are willing to continue reaching into taxpayers’ pockets to find ways to pay for even more government spending.
Senators Wilcox and Syverson to Co-Host Medicare Information Seminar on September 3
Senator Dave Syverson and I would like to invite those interested in learning more about the federal Medicare program to attend a free informational session that will be held in Wonder Lake on September 3.
The federal Medicare system can be tricky to navigate, and it is important that enrollees ensure they have adequate coverage between Medicare and supplemental plans that are available. We are bringing in experts that can help current enrollees understand the system, and help those approaching Medicare eligibility prepare to apply for coverage.
Senators Wilcox and Syverson Medicare 101 Seminar
Thursday, September 3
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Harrison School (Use Entrance #1)
6809 McCullom Lake Road
Wonder Lake, IL 60097
Facilitated by the Illinois Department on Aging, the Medicare 101 Seminar includes information about who is eligible, coverage details and how to get help with out-of-pocket expenses. There is also a question-and-answer period if you need it. It’s a good opportunity to talk with people who know the system well.
Representatives from the Illinois Department on Aging will provide an overview of the Medicare program, including eligibility, enrollment, benefits, and other helpful information. A question-and-answer period will be included.
For more information about this free seminar, please call my office at (815) 455-6330.
Illinois Makes Traveling Easier for Caregivers
The Illinois Secretary of State has implemented a pilot program that expands access to disability parking placards.
The new pilot program expands in-person disability parking placard services to 14 additional facilities across Illinois. The expansion follows recently signed legislation that allows legal guardians who transport children and individuals with disabilities who are incapable of driving themselves to obtain meter-exempt disability parking placards. Previously, meter-exempt parking benefits were primarily for drivers with disabilities and not their caregivers.
The new walk-in option is expected to help reduce application processing times and allow eligible drivers to more easily obtain their placards.
Meter-exempt disability parking placards allow eligible individuals to park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities while also exempting them from parking meter fees and certain time limitations of 30 minutes or less.
Participating driver services facilities include the: Springfield Flagship, Chicago Flagship, Chicago North, Chicago South, Chicago West, LaSalle, Robinson, Rockford, Champaign, Carbondale, Peoria, Quincy, Moline, Macomb, and Granite City.
Illinois Farmer Mental Health Program Expands Under New Name
A statewide program providing confidential mental health support to Illinois farmers and their families has launched a new name and website as it continues expanding its reach.
The Farm Family Resource Initiative, which began as a pilot program serving six counties in 2019, is now known as FARM SOS. The program has grown to serve agricultural communities across all 102 Illinois counties. The rebranding is intended to make the service easier for farm families to recognize and access when they need support.
FARM SOS provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its helpline connects farmers and their families with trained professionals who can provide emotional support and connect callers with additional resources. The program also offers up to six no-cost telehealth counseling sessions for individuals, couples, or groups.
The program is a partnership between the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Illinois Department of Human Services.
Ensuring Illinois farm families have access to resources when they are facing difficult circumstances is an important part of supporting the state’s agricultural communities.
IDOT Is Hiring Snowbirds!
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is currently hiring over 1,500 temporary snow removal winter hires for their IDOT Winter Seasonal “Snowbird” Program.
IDOT hires two types of temporary positions within their “Snowbird” Program: Monthly Snowbirds and Hourly Snowbirds. These job postings are winter salaried, full-time or on-call temporary positions, perfect for individuals who are seeking seasonal work or long-term career paths.
IDOT is looking for talented and innovative people who strive to deliver solutions to help enhance the quality of life for Illinois residents.
For more information, please visit https://idot.illinois.gov/careers/seasonal-employment.html to learn more.